In the context of the franchise game in modern-day South Africa, Shaun von Berg is a rare breed. Being a legspinner is unusual enough - a glance down the list of wicket-takers from last season's Sunfoil Series confirms he was one of just two regular leggies in four-day cricket. But what makes von Berg more anomalous is the fact that he is 31 years old, white, uncapped at international level and yet still persisting with franchise cricket.

Last season, only Werner Coetsee, Andrew Birch and Rudi Second were older than von Berg among that category of players, where the average age is just 25. Yet there is a distinction to be made here because while those three players have all been a mainstay in their respective franchise sides, von Berg has stuck around even as he yo-yoed in and out of the Titans team. Most cricketers who find themselves shimmying between franchise and provincial cricket in South Africa have sought out better financial opportunities in other industries by the end of their twenties.

While transformation targets have not always allowed the Titans to pick von Berg, the number of top-level players has also acted against him. When the Proteas squad for the Test series in Sri Lanka was announced on Monday, von Berg was one of 10 Titans players called up. "He's been an unsung hero for us," says Titans chief executive Jacques Faul. "He has won us lots of games. He hasn't always got opportunities to play because of our strong squad and the make-up of the team, but he's one of the most patient and positive guys I have met. This is a great reward."

Von Berg himself admits that the question of why he has persisted for so long - when few expected a national call-up - is an interesting one. "A lot of guys have moved to England or New Zealand, but I really enjoy playing for the Titans," he told Cricbuzz. "All my family are from Pretoria, I was born here and I always wanted to play for them. It's a good setup, I know all of the people who work in the offices and it's like a second home.

"There were a hard couple of years where I didn't get picked and I didn't play a lot, but I understood the position I was in. Our team is very strong so the opportunities are fewer at times - particularly when the national team players come back, leaving no space for the local players. But I didn't want to move and play for another franchise. I've been playing here all my life and it's very enjoyable."

Other opportunities have come around. While the door to English cricket has largely been closed to South Africans who don't have recent international experience, another has opened over the past five or so years. A couple of seasons ago, a New Zealand franchise came knocking on von Berg's door. Given that he was in his late twenties, with no guarantee of a regular place in the Titans side and little prospect of international opportunities, most would have leapt at the approach.

"I spoke to my coach,